Hawaii 2015
We visited Oahu and Maui in December 2015. On Oahu we stayed with cousins Claudia and Pete in west Oahu. We were also able to meet Chris' brother John and visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. On Maui for the second half of the trip we got in good beach action and had a tour around West Maui.
On the first full day we all headed over to the leeward east side of Oahu. There are some great views right from the highway. Click to Enlarge
On the first full day we all headed over to the leeward east side of Oahu. There are some great views right from the highway.
Beautiful views up the coast. Click to Enlarge
Beautiful views up the coast.
Claudia and Pete live in Ko Olina and it has a great snorkel spot just a short walk away which was filled with fish and sea turtles. Click to Enlarge
Claudia and Pete live in Ko Olina and it has a great snorkel spot just a short walk away which was filled with fish and sea turtles.
On the north tip of Oahu is the Polynesian Cultural Center which provides a good learning experience for the culture of many of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. There was a canoe parade where each island has a boat and traditional dancers. Click to Enlarge
On the north tip of Oahu is the Polynesian Cultural Center which provides a good learning experience for the culture of many of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. There was a canoe parade where each island has a boat and traditional dancers.
And each island has its own village provided a taste of the island. Plus a short show provided music and dancers from the island. Here is New Zealand, or Aotearoa, demonstrating some of the native Maori dancing. Click to Enlarge
And each island has its own village provided a taste of the island. Plus a short show provided music and dancers from the island. Here is New Zealand, or Aotearoa, demonstrating some of the native Maori dancing.
Got in some paddleboard action too. Click to Enlarge
Got in some paddleboard action too.
We met up with Chris' brother John in downtown Honolulu after a 15 year span from the last time we had met! We had a nice tour of Foster Botanical Gardens and shared a lunch in Chinatown. Click to Enlarge
We met up with Chris' brother John in downtown Honolulu after a 15 year span from the last time we had met! We had a nice tour of Foster Botanical Gardens and shared a lunch in Chinatown.
Then it was on to Maui. The first morning I took a surfing lesson and managed to stand up on my first try. They were monstrous waves as you can see here! :-) Click to Enlarge
Then it was on to Maui. The first morning I took a surfing lesson and managed to stand up on my first try. They were monstrous waves as you can see here! :-)
We took a boat trip out to Molokini Islet which is just off from Maui. It has a great snorkeling and diving area in 100 feet visibility. Click to Enlarge
We took a boat trip out to Molokini Islet which is just off from Maui. It has a great snorkeling and diving area in 100 feet visibility.
Snorkel selfie Click to Enlarge
Snorkel selfie
Here is Iao Valley State Park which is a gorgeous valley in West Maui. Click to Enlarge
Here is Iao Valley State Park which is a gorgeous valley in West Maui.
Friends with the Hawaiian gods at Kula Botanic Gardens. Click to Enlarge
Friends with the Hawaiian gods at Kula Botanic Gardens.
We took a super scenic drive up to the summit of Mount Haleakala. Cloudy down below but not way up here above 10000ft Click to Enlarge
We took a super scenic drive up to the summit of Mount Haleakala. Cloudy down below but not way up here above 10000ft
And then an awesome sunset from the summit. Click to Enlarge
And then an awesome sunset from the summit.
Dark and clear skies make for good Milky Way shots too. Click to Enlarge
Dark and clear skies make for good Milky Way shots too.